Title: The Black KeyAuthor: Amy EwingSeries: The Lone City TrilogyPrevious Books in the Series:1. The Jewel2. The White RoseDate Started: January 15Date Finished: January 16Format: Hardcover from local library

For too long, Violet and the people of the outer circles of the Lone City have lived in service to the royalty of the Jewel. But now the secret society known as the Black Key is preparing to seize power. And while Violet knows she is at the center of this rebellion, she has a more personal stake in it—her sister, Hazel, has been taken by the Duchess of the Lake. Now, after fighting so hard to escape the Jewel, Violet must do everything in her power to return to save not only Hazel, but the future of the Lone City.

Why is it authors feel like they need to kill of characters in the final books of series? I mean, honestly, it’s not hard to not have a body count in books. Really it isn’t. Especially in The Black Key, when it seriously felt like Ewing was killing off characters just for the hell of it. Spoilers beyond this point… Take Coral for instance. Ewing did a very successful job of taking a character that no one liked in book 2 and made her somewhat likable in this one. Then bam. She’s dead. How exactly does that advance the plot? It didn’t really, other than to give the Duchess of the House of Lake a reason to call the Executor. Lucien’s death too was just plain stupid. I mean, Violet has a little temper tantrum in one room in a palace full of rooms and the Regimentals just so happen to check that room? C’mon.

I’m not sure if this is part of my reading slump or if I was just in a rush to finish this book, but I just didn’t feel anything while reading it. Even when characters died, I was just like. Meh. Whatever. The ending also left something to be desired. Okay. So they defeated the royals and brought the Lone City back together. Now what are they going to do? Well…apparently, they’re not going to help rebuild. Violet and her band of misfits go to see the ocean. The end. Oy.

Final Rating: 2 out of 5 stars. Authors need to stop killing characters for no reason. Especially near a big pivotal plot event. It doesn’t make me feel anything other than annoyance.